Basic principles using the HC1

How does the machine work?

The machine produces an airstream around the sample at controlled relative humidity (RH) that can be used to change the hydration state of macromolecular crystals. This airstream is generated by using DewPoint to remove water from a hot and saturated airstream so that it will be at the correct RH when it reaches the crystal.

In practice what you will see at the beamline is a device next to the diffractometer and a nozzle that looks like a standard cryo-stream. Your crystals can be directly mounted by hand, as you would normally do if you were cryo-cooling directly on the beamline, and from that point onwards there is nothing different from a standard data collection.

What is the device useful for?

The HC1 allows mounting samples on the beamline in a controlled environment at room temperature. There are three main uses for the device:

• Data collection/analysis at room temperature
• Controlled dehydration to alter their diffraction properties
• Improved cryo-protection

When/where can I use the device and how to book it?

Currently we only have one device at Diamond so you would need to reserve it (on a first come first served basis). The device can be installed in 3 of the MX beamlines (I03, I04, and I24) and in one of our labs. Send an e-mail to [email protected] if you are interested in using it. Please let us know the date/time you would like to use it and what beamline you would like to use it in. If the device is available and a member of staff can support you during your experiment, your booking will be cofirmed and the device will be reserved for you. For more information follow this link.